In brief
A fire raging in southeastern Australia has resulted in one death and damaged approximately 300 buildings, primarily in Victoria. With thousands of firefighters battling conditions worsened by extreme heat and wind, officials fear the fires could last several weeks. The human toll is climbing, as the Gobur community mourns the loss of one of its own, underlining the destructive potential of the current bushfire season.
One person has died and 300 properties have been destroyed in bushfires that have torn across south-east Australia.
The fires have raged in dozens of locations across the country for several days, mostly in the state of Victoria, but also in New South Wales, burning through land almost twice the size of Greater London.
A state of emergency has been declared in Victoria as thousands of firefighters and more than 70 aircraft battle the blaze. Residents in more than a dozen communities have been advised to leave their homes.
Authorities fear the fires, which are being fuelled by very hot, dry and windy conditions, could burn for several weeks.
Victoria's Premier Jacinta Allan said 30 active fires were burning across the state, 10 of which were of particular concern. She said 350,000 hectares had been burnt across the state as of 08:00 local time on Sunday (23:00 GMT on Saturday).
Human remains were found in the village of Gobur, near the town of Longwood, prompting an outpouring of grief in the community. Allan praised emergency workers for their efforts in such difficult conditions, stressing that the Gobur community is experiencing a heavy loss.
Smoke from the bushfires is adversely affecting air quality in many areas, including metropolitan Melbourne, and is being reported as some of the worst fires since the disastrous 2019-2020 bushfire season that claimed 33 lives.
This tragic situation underscores the ongoing threats posed by climate change, creating conditions conducive to devastating wildfires.
